A club is not necessary to have friends with like interest doing things together.I don't recommend forming one just to have say you have somethingto call your group. It can be a lot of trouble.

Forming such a 'club' isn't what causes trouble, it's when the group starts getting things that are owned by the group, such as a repeater or group station that the trouble starts. There is a loose association of hams where I live that calls itself a club--but is just a group of guys that get together more or less weekly to rag chew and have coffee at a local restaurant or at one of the guys' homes. No dues, no programs--no 'club' possessions--just friends getting together to do ham radio.

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT form a club unless you do everything the "right way".

Each state has requirements for setting up a nonprofit organization. If you don't follow the legal requirements, the "officers" can be held PERSONALLY LIABLE for the organization's debts.

Contact the nearest "junior" or "community" college and see if someone who teaches business law can give you basic guidance and direction.

N9LCD

STANDARD LEGAL DISCLAIMER: LEGAL ADVICE SHOULD BE SOUGHT IN THIS MATTER FROM AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR JURISDICTON. I AM IN LOUISIANA AND THIS IS NOT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF AN ACTUAL CONSULTATION WITH A LEGAL OFFICER.

Forming a NON PROFIT CORPORATION in your jurisdiction should be undertaken with the advise of an Attorney or other legal officer in your home jurisdiction Inquire locally. Listen to n9lcd.

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT form a club unless you do everything the "right way".

Each state has requirements for setting up a nonprofit organization. If you don't follow the legal requirements, the "officers" can be held PERSONALLY LIABLE for the organization's debts....

There's a difference between a simple club and a non-profit organization. If all you're doing is getting a group of people with similar interests together for fellowship, you don't need to go through all the legal steps to form a club--unless you want to.

If, however, you're going to do fund raising and public 'club' type activities, and want the club to be a legal entity on its own for legal (liability) and insurance purposes, then you DO have to file paperwork, register with the state and so on--steps that only an attorney in YOUR jurisdiction fully knows about. That includes registering with the ARRL as a club--the ARRL requires it before they'll recognize any such entity as an affiliate.

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